Kayani Turner has proved to be a valuable asset in three seasons on the bench with the Black and Gold.
The 2017 season proved to be a record setting one for Turner and the Tigers. Towson opened the season with 16 straight wins, setting the school record for best start to a season. Turner and the Tigers went on to post a 27-6 record and advance to the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Tournament for the third straight year. Towson's solid start helped them advance to the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC) where the Tigers rallied from a 2-0 deficit for a 3-2 win at Colgate. It was the program's first ever postseason victory. Under Turner's watch the Tigers had three players earn all-conference accolades and led the league in kills, digs and assists per set.
In 2016, Turner helped the Tigers win 24 matches and advance to the CAA Tournament for the second straight year. Turner helped the Tigers lead the league in kills per set for the second straight year and rank among the top 15 in the nation for the second straight season.
In just her first season on the bench, Turner helped guide the Tigers to a share of the CAA regular season title. She helped the Tigers post 26 wins as the team had the CAA Rookie of the Year and CAA Defensive Player of the Year. Under Turner’s guidance the Tigers ranked among the top 10 in the nation for kills per set and team kills. Turner was responsible for working with the Tigers’ middle blockers and blocking game.
During the 2015 off-season, Turner graduated from the NCAA Women’s Coaches Academy.
Turner came to the Tigers from Southeast Missouri where she spent four years on the staff working for head coach Julie Yankus. At Southeast Missouri, she was the primary coach for the outside hitters and recruiting coordinator. Turner also assisted in the scouting of opponents, film breakdown and practice planning.
The Redhawks won 63 matches in the four years Turner was in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Southeast Missouri made its first appearance in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament since 2008 and won its first OVC Tournament contest since 2006. The Redhawks showed significant improvement in their hitting percentage and kills per set during Turner’s time on the sidelines.
Prior to joining the staff at Southeast Missouri, Turner was a graduate assistant coach at Western Illinois. There, she was in charge of pre and postgame administrative duties. She also helped scout Western Illinois’ serve receptions and the Leathernecks’ opponents’ serving tendencies.
Turner earned her bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Illinois in 2008. She was a stand-out player for the Illini. As a sophomore, she led the team in kills with 391. During her senior season, Turner helped Illinois reach the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. She finished her career with 642 kills and 117 blocks.
She also earned a master’s degree in sport management from Western Illinois.
Turner also brings experience from coaching club volleyball to the Tigers’ sidelines. She served as the head coach of the Prime Time Volleyball Club in Illinois and as a camp coach for Illinois and Precision Volleyball Camps.
Turner is a local product who graduated from John Carroll High School in Bel Air, Maryland. She was the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Maryland in 2004 and is a member of the John Carroll Hall of Fame.
